Photography looks easy, right? Point, click, magic. Not so fast. “Ten percent is behind the camera,” says April McGill, who has been in the industry for two decades. The other ninety? Focus, sweat, and hustle. It’s the editing, the lighting, the networking, and the operations of running a successful photography business. “You have to put in the work if you want to make it a career,” she adds. And April has been putting in the work since day one. 

 

In 2003, she enrolled in a year-round private photography college, equipping her with the skills and techniques she needed to succeed in the commercial and advertising photography space. By 2007, she had earned a BA, opened her studio in Venice Beach at just 22, and was already working the kind of jobs most photographers only dream about. That leap took her to New York City, where she arrived on set at a major rental studio known for serving powerhouse brands. Think Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works, Nordstrom, Abercrombie & Fitch, Gap, and Old Navy. 

 

It wasn’t glamorous; it was grind. Early mornings, endless sets, and high-pressure to perform. April not only proved she had the eye, but the knowledge, the work ethic, and the guts to make it in a city where only the toughest survive. 

 

Then came Los Angeles, where Milk Studios brought her into the celebrity lifestyle world. If New York was about advertising and fashion, L.A. was about star power. April owned both. 

 

After a family illness, in 2011, she was called back to Bakersfield. That’s when the story took a sharp turn. She swapped big-city studios for a role as a publication designer, shooting and designing Be Well Magazine cover-to-cover. It wasn’t forever, but it was pivotal. It reconnected her to Bakersfield and gave her the runway to build something of her own. 

 

Side gigs and weekend portrait sessions turned into steady revenue. And when her weekend income matched her weekday paycheck, April didn’t hesitate. She jumped — headfirst — into freedom. 

 

By 2017, April leaped again. She expanded to working with other photographers and launched April & Co. Event Photo & Video, her event powerhouse. She built this business with a team mentality. The team consists of other freelancers and those eager to learn: five photographers, two videographers, assistants, and the muscle to run three events in one night without missing a beat. 

 

The client list? Stacked. Hospitals. Universities. Nonprofits. Banks. Agriculture. Oil. Education. And yes, even the mayor’s annual holiday card. In 2004 alone, April & Co. crushed 247 projects for 94 clients. 

 

But here’s the kicker. April doesn’t see herself as just a vendor. “We’re visual marketing partners,” she says. Expect more than just a traditional photoshoot. Her team doesn’t just show up with cameras. They show up with strategy. They think like marketers, creating images that are powerful tools for websites, social campaigns, annual reports, and brand storytelling. 

“We think about how the client is going to use the images,” she explains. That makes a world of difference in a photoshoot. Clients don’t have to worry about a thing. “We make sure that it’s all buttoned up and dialed in.”  

 

Best of all, she loves what she does. “I have a great time,” she smiles. “Every day is a new day out in the community, which I absolutely love. Not only am I fulfilling my purpose behind the lens, but I’m telling the stories of these wonderful businesses and the things they are doing in the community.” As April likes to say: “If it’s a business, we can help you grow. If it’s a nonprofit, we can share your mission.” 

 

April sets the bar high, not just for the photos, but for the experience. Industry etiquette, ethics, professionalism, and connection are prioritized as much as shutter speed. “When you hire my team, you can trust we will show up and deliver,” she explains. From dignitaries at black-tie galas to guests at community fundraisers, her crew makes every person feel like they belong in the spotlight. She knows how to cater to A-listers, interact with celebrities, and treat all people with the respect that they deserve. 

 

Over the years, April has mentored, trained, empowered and partnered with numerous photographers giving them not just a paycheck but a platform. “I couldn’t do it without my team,” she says. Together, they’ve created a company that’s more than a photography service. It’s a force. 

Today, April balances headshots and lifestyle portraits, real estate, corporate campaigns, nonprofit storytelling, and small to large-scale events with style, precision, and a little fire. She’s also one of our talented photographers for Greet Seven Oaks. She helps tell our stories visually, as much as I do through the written word. 

As she can tell you, success isn’t about just snapping a picture. There’s so much more to it. It’s about connecting, innovating, and knowing when to leap. There are no shortcuts to success.  

 

Expect nothing but the best from April and her talented team. They are building legacies, one unforgettable image at a time.